PROPHET

 

PROPHET

The Role of a Prophet

Prophets play a unique role in biblical history. Unlike kings and priests, who typically held hereditary offices and were exclusively male, prophets were commissioned directly by God and could be of either gender. While priests spoke to God on behalf of the people, prophets conveyed God's messages to the people, urging them to remain faithful. Some of the notable prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures include Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and Elisha. Though prophets occasionally foretold future events, their primary function was to call people back to faithfulness and righteousness. The Hebrew word for prophet is nabi (na-BEE).

While we may not typically think of Jesus as a prophet, he accepted this recognition comfortably. His baptism in the Jordan, marked by the descent of the Spirit, was a clear commissioning by God as a prophet. However, Jesus transcended the role of earlier prophets; he was the ultimate Prophet, perfectly revealing both God’s Word and God himself.

The New Testament references several individuals as prophets or those who prophesied, including John the Baptist, his father Zechariah, Anna, Simeon, Elizabeth, the high priest Caiaphas, Agabus, and Barnabas. It indicates that the early church included prophets and regarded prophecy as one of the spiritual gifts. The Greek word prophetes appears 144 times in the New Testament, demonstrating a substantial focus on prophets and prophecies comparable to that in the Hebrew Scriptures.

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Praying to Our Prophet

Flannery O’Connor was known for her short stories featuring grotesque characters and shocking plots, aimed at exposing the flaws in human nature. She believed that to reach an audience that didn't share her beliefs, she had to make her message startling. While Christ's life may not be grotesque, it is indeed shocking in many ways.

Consider the incredible reality that God humbled himself to become human, entering the world as an infant born to Jewish peasants, vulnerable to a murderous king. He lived simply as a carpenter, wandered as a sage, allowed himself to be arrested and crucified like a criminal, and then rose from the dead after three days. In all of this, God is indeed shouting to a spiritually deaf world, making His message clear and startling.

Reflect for a moment: Who in your life seems spiritually dull or resistant to the Good News? Take a moment now to pray for them, asking God to open their ears to hear what He is saying through Jesus Christ.

Jesus, I pray that I will remain receptive to the words you speak. Help me listen and obey. As I do, transform me into your image so that my life may reflect you to those who are deaf to your message.

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Promises Associated with the Name

“Yahweh your Elohim will send you a prophet, an Israelite like me. You must listen to him.”
— Deuteronomy 18:15

“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. In these last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words.”
— Hebrews 1:1-3

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Reflection

The title Prophet emphasizes Jesus' unique position as the ultimate messenger of God. Through his life, he perfectly embodies God's Word and character, demonstrating that he is not only a prophet but also God incarnate. His shocking entrance into the world and his sacrificial love serve as a powerful reminder of God’s desire for a relationship with humanity.

As we consider the role of prophets, let us be attentive to the messages God shares through Jesus and his followers. May we remain open to God's guidance and committed to sharing His love and truth with those around us, especially those who may be spiritually blind or hard of hearing.